Carlsbad, California: On a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the 50-acre Carlsbad Flower Fields bloom with vibrant bands of millions of flowers in eye-popping pink, yellow, orange, and red shades. While The Flower Fields are the star attraction, don’t miss the other garden displays near the entrance!
Carlsbad Flower Fields Best Time to Visit
If you want to experience the full beauty of the fields, plan your visit during April when the entire area is a technicolor dream. The Carlsbad Flower Fields open during the spring, from March to early May.
I visited in early March when only a small portion of the field was in bloom, yet I enjoyed exploring the smaller flower garden displays near the entrance crowd-free.
Whether you are planning a trip to the Carlsbad Flower Fields or are just interested in seeing it from afar, this post will take you on a journey through the fields and displays. A free Flower Fields Garden Travel Guide is located at the end of the post to assist you in planning your trip.
The Gardens at the Carlsbad Flower Fields
These 13 smaller garden displays near the entrance provide a diversity of floral styles:
- An Artist’s Garden with bird aviaries, fountains, and floral displays
- Fountain Garden
- Historic Poinsettia display
- A court of Head Planters
- A Butterfly Garden
- The Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden full of take-home ideas
- A whimsical Children’s Garden
- An Illusion Garden, with topiaries and giant chairs, set for photo ops.
- A Mediterranean Garden fit for a wedding
- Greenhouses of outstanding Cymbidium Orchids
- A Sweet Pea Maze
- An American Flag made out of red, white, and blue petunias covering a hillside.
- A Sea of Sunflowers
And, Of course, the star of the show, the Ranunculus Flower Fields
In addition to flower cultivation, the farm hosts events, including concerts, festivals, art shows, and workshops.
1. Artist’s Garden
The Artist’s Garden was inspired by the cloistered gardens of the medieval era known as pleasure gardens.
The garden provides a beautiful backdrop for photos. The best way to experience the garden is to sit on the wooden benches under the trellises and observe. Listen to the sound of the doves, note the combination of flowers, and watch the shimmer of the water feature.
2. The Fountain Garden
The Fountain Garden was more of a gathering place than a destination. The wagons lined up to take the next group of visitors to the fields at Carlsbad Ranch.
Upon closer inspection, the vivid geraniums defining the outer edge of the Fountain Garden were having a glory moment. Soon they will take a backseat to the Flower Field’s burst of bloom.
3. Poinsettia Display
The Poinsettia Greenhouse highlights the Ecke family, whose history with flower production in the area goes back to the 1920s. The family was instrumental in breeding poinsettia plants into the world’s best-selling potted plant. Nearly 120,000,000 million plants are sold in the United States during the holiday season.
The display is a walk-through history of the poinsettia plant, featuring new and unusual colors and tried and true favorites.
4. Potted Head Planters
Now, isn’t this fun? With nature as their hairdresser, these potted heads held court in the corner of the main stage.
In my daughter’s opinion, they looked creepy. I found them amusing. Judging from the line forming to take family pictures with the Heads, they were a hit.
Want to create your own head planter? See the Potted Head Planters for sources and inspiration for designing your own.
5. The Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden celebrates the butterfly’s role in helping flowers bloom.
A rainbow of osteospermum flowers, commonly known as African Daisy, lit up the entrance while giant butterflies “flew” overhead.
6. The Demonstration Garden
Many ideas were packed into this area created by the Master Gardeners of San Diego County. The garden featured nine vignettes appropriate for small spaces.
A detailed plant list was provided for each section to help home gardeners recreate the look. Sustainability and earth-friendly practices were the names of the game, with native plants, proteas, meadow grasses, and pollinator beds providing beauty and homes for the pollinators.
Here’s a quick look at the gardens and take-away ideas:
I love the bottle edging and counted 104 bottles in this picture. That’s a lot of wine, Master Gardeners. I assume it was a group effort.
Colored rock creates movement and adds color.
Repeating structures unify the garden and give it height.
Garden ornaments tucked into the plants add year-round color and interest.
Beautify the vegetable patch with edible flowers.
7. Children’s Garden
The Children’s playground magic mushrooms and whimsical playhouses were relocated from Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead, California, and the name stuck.
Poinsettias in bloom and now Santa’s Village under the clear blue March sky leaves you questioning if Santa has relocated to Southern California.
8. Garden of Illusion
Right across from the playground, it gets…
“Curiouser and curiouser” said Alice. Is it an illusion, or did we step through the looking glass?
The Flower Fields Garden of Illusion Description
Giant chairs, topiaries, and oversized cups bring out the kid in all.
9. Mediterranean Garden
The Flower Fields host weddings, corporate functions, and celebrations year-round. My favorite event spot was the Mediterranean Garden and the main ceremony area because of the soothing water features, which can be lit at night for added ambiance.
10. Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse
These Cymbidium Orchids are my kind of flower: Big, bodacious, and long-lasting. Pursuing the greenhouse aisles, each plant was my new favorite.
Cymbidium Orchids have highly decorative flower spikes that generally last six to eight weeks and are among the least demanding indoor orchids. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate zone.
11. Sweet Pea Maze
One look at this Sweet Pea Maze and I knew visiting in the first week of March had some serious drawbacks. Granted, the volunteer said the plants were usually taller this time of year than the growth seen here. But, if you can come only once, wait until April to visit.
12. Carlsbad Flower Fields American Flag
Ditto for the American Flag of Flowers. Wait until April, when the hillside will be covered in a star-spangled American flag made of red, white, and blue petunias. Nearly 19,000 petunias are required to create the one-acre American flag.
Unfortunately, the flag wasn’t there in the dawn’s early March light.
13. Carlsbad Sunflower Fields
Double ditto for the Sea of Sunflowers. You could see the Pacific Ocean from the hillside in March, but no Sea of Sunflowers. Come back in mid-April.
14. Ranunculus Flower Fields of Carlsbad
For 30+ years, millions of vibrant ranunculus blossoms have striped this hillside in Carlsbad. Officially known as the Tecolote Giant Ranunculus, the flower is native to Asia and Europe but is widely cultivated in many parts of the world for its beautiful, brightly-colored flowers.
More than 200,000 plants are averaging 2 million blossoms per acre. During the height of the bloom, you can expect to see 80 million flowers in full color.
The Flower Fields is the only Ranunculus grower in the world that allows visitors to walk the fields to experience the color.
Up close, ranunculus flowers have several layers of delicate petals, which give them a unique, frilly appearance. The ranunculus is also known by several other names, including buttercup, Persian buttercup, and Crowfoot.
A Working Flower Farm
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is one of Southern California’s largest ranunculus cut flower and bulb production operations and is the only one open to the public.
Despite the farm’s popularity as a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of tourists annually, the primary focus of the Carlsbad Flower Farm remains to cultivate high-quality flowers and preserve the surrounding open space.
Mellano & Company, a local flower grower, operates the farm and uses sustainable farming practices to grow and harvest the flowers.
After the flowers have faded and the plants die back, the bulbs (actually tuberous roots) are harvested by machine, air dried, and sorted by size.
The “Tecolote® Giant Ranunculus” bulbs are packaged and distributed by California Flowerbulb Company and sold at the Flower Fields and in nurseries throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
In addition to the ranunculus flowers and bulbs, The Carlsbad Flower Fields also cultivates various other flowers, featuring cymbidiums, poinsettias, sweet pea blossoms, sunflowers, and petunias.
Food, Music, and Special Events
No matter when you visit, there is plenty to eat and drink at the Carlsbad Flower Fields, with multiple stands. If you want to escape the crowd, there are numerous good choices within 3 miles of The Flower Fields. Just note re-entry to the Flower Fields is not allowed. Check out the Garden Travel Guide below, “Where to Eat Near The Flower Fields.”
Check the schedule before booking your tickets. I counted 33 music, workshops, and special events planned.
Wagon rides are popular through the flower fields, though I’d recommend walking to admire the diversity of flowers and take advantage of more photo opportunities.
Visitors exit through the Armstrong Flower Fields Nursery, where flowers, seeds, and other merchandise are offered for sale.
A visit to the Carlsbad Flower Fields is a beautiful experience perfect for anyone who appreciates the beauty of flowers or just someone looking for a fun afternoon out.
Visitors Guide: The Carlsbad Flower Fields, Carlsbad California
Address:
5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Note: If you are using Google Maps, input “The Flower Fields” rather than the exact address to make sure you are being directed to the front entrance.
How to Best Experience The Carlsbad Flower Fields
Visit during April for the best flower displays. A “Bloom Status” button on the top right of the Flower Fields website will tell you how many acres are in bloom.
The Flower Fields are crowded during the peak bloom, so come early in the day and on a weekday if possible. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the highest volume times.
I recommend walking the flower fields rather than taking the wagon ride. You will have more opportunities to view the flowers up close and take photos with the iconic background blooms.
Check the events schedule for many workshop and music events at the Flower Fields to include in your visit.
Bring sunscreen and a hat. Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be walking on dirt farm paths. Breezes off the ocean can be chilly, so consider bringing a sweater or light jacket.
Even if you can’t visit during peak season, the displays in the front will offer plenty of photo opportunities and things to see.
The Carlsbad Flower Fields Map
Find the most up-to-date map on The Flower Fields website. (Scroll to the bottom of the web page to find it.)
Flower Fields Carlsbad Hours
The Carlsbad Flower Fields are open seven days a week, 9 am – 6 pm, March – Mid May.
Carlsbad Flower Fields Tickets
– Reservations
Timed tickets must be purchased online on the Flower Fields Website.
– 2023 Carlsbad Flower Fields Ticket Price
ADULT: $23.00 (+ $3.08 Service Fee)
Seniors (60+) and Military: $21.00 (+ $2.81 Service Fee)
CHILDREN 3-10: $12.00 (+ $1.61 Service Fee)
– Carlsbad Flower Fields Discounts:
Mondays – With the purchase of one adult or one senior/military, you receive one child’s ticket free (ages 3-10)
Tuesdays & Wednesdays – Between 1:00-4:00 pm, receive $2 off adults, seniors/military, and children tickets.
Season Passes Available
Parking at The Flower Fields
Parking is free. A large parking lot in front of the entrance has overflow lots.
Website
Carlsbad Flower Fields Photography Policy
Photography is encouraged at The Flower Fields but raises questions about what is and isn’t allowed. Please check the Flower Field’s Photography and Filming Policy for details.
Basically, as a guest of The Flower Fields, you may bring cameras, phones, and tripods. Any other equipment is not allowed without booking a photo or video shoot. No Drones.
Flower Fields Pet Policy
From The Flower Fields website: “In order to respect the rights and ensure the safety of our guests, we do not allow pets or Emotional Support Animals. The only animals allowed are Service Animals. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.”
Accessibility at The Flower Fields
The parking and restroom facilities are accessible and compliant with the CBC and ADA Standards. The Flower Fields is a working farm; guests may use trails and dirt paths on the Farm at their own risk.
The farm is situated on a slope overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For this reason, those with accessibility issues are encouraged to take advantage of the Tractor Wagon Ride as the best means of viewing the property.
Those who require assistance or have limited mobility should check in at the customer service window upon arrival for assistance.
Accessibility at The Flower Fields
The parking and restroom facilities are accessible and compliant with the CBC and ADA Standards. The Flower Fields is a working farm; guests may use trails and dirt paths on the Farm at their own risk.
The farm is situated on a slope overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For this reason, those with accessibility issues are encouraged to take advantage of the Tractor Wagon Ride as the best means of viewing the property.
Those who require assistance or have limited mobility should check in at the customer service window upon arrival for assistance.
Mission of the Garden
Flower Fields Foundation’s mission: “To provide annual support, through volunteers, corporate and community philanthropic giving, for sustainable educational, scientific and charitable programs.”
Vision: “To provide ”hands-on” educational programs for children, charitable grants for low-income schools, an increase in learning environments, special tours for family members of all ages, and a scientific understanding of agricultural issues and their historical impact on Northern San Diego County.”
Other Gardens Near The Carlsbad Flower Fields
The San Diego Botanic Garden, 6 miles from The Carlsbad Flower Fields, is a 37-acre urban oasis featuring 4 miles of meandering trails and ocean views, 5,300 plant species and varieties, and 29 uniquely themed gardens.
Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens, 7 miles from the Carlsbad Flower Fields, offers diverse, colorful plants, meditation nooks, koi ponds, and spectacular ocean vistas. It is within walking distance of a wide variety of coffee shops, sidewalk cafes, and shopping in beachy downtown Encinitas.
For inspiration to create your own Head Planter like those at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, check out the Potted Head Planters.
Recent Posts
Museums for All in Botanical Gardens and Arboretums Blooming with Access
Museums for All is an initiative that allows individuals and families receiving food assistance (SNAP EBT - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) to gain free or...
San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, CA: The San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is a 37-acre sanctuary about a 30-minute drive north of the city of San Diego. Just a mile from the Pacific...